TOUGH SEASONS are times of self-discovery.
You do not learn things about people or yourself when things are easy. You learn when things are hard.
The Chronicle
AFTER QUEEN VASHTI refused to come before the king, Memucan, one of the advisors said:
Let a royal command be issued by the king. Let Queen Vashti not come before the king again and her position be given to another who is worthy and more valuable (Esther 1:17-19).
So the king went public and gave more people access. He appointed administrators for all the provinces to seek young virgins.
The king shut Vashti out, and God gave Esther access.
Trust God for Access
WHEN GOD wants to move you, he gives you access.
He creates opportunities and allows you to seize them (Eccles. 9:11).
Believe in Strategy and Structures
MORDECAI understood the times and knew what to do.
So, he took Esther to the palace and placed her in the custody of Hegai but warned her not to tell anyone about her race—and Esther found favour with Hegai (Esther 2:8-18).
Seek the Grace of God
The GRACE of GOD will grant you favour—and the favour of God will give you the gift of men.
However, to keep this gift, you must be friendly (Prov. 18:24).
Appreciate the Gift of Men
MOSES enjoyed the gift of men when God gave him Aaron as his spokesperson (Exod. 4:10-14).
David was blessed with men willing to risk their lives to get him water from the well near the Gate of Bethlehem (2 Sam. 23:15).
Daniel surrounded himself with friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who believed in God as he did and stood for God in everything they did (Dan. 1:11-12).
May God give you men who are willing to do God’s bidding; men who will believe in the process of God for your life.
Trust God’s Process
ESTHER learnt this early in life when she lost both parents and Mordecai took her in (Esther 2:15-17).
She also learnt this in the harem when it took King Ahasuerus four years to choose the next queen. But she trusted God in the process.
PAUL trusted the process when an angel of the Lord told him that he would stand trial before Caesar and no life on the ship would be lost (Acts. 27:22-25).
Jesus trusted the process when he laid down his life (John 10:18).
When you trust the process, God takes your concerns to heart and steps into your situation.
Look unto God
MORDECAI was so concerned about his cousin’s well-being that he went daily to the palace gate looking for the desired outcome (Esther 2:10-11).
He took care of the small things and looked up to God to handle the big ones.
Walk by Faith
GOD honoured his faith by granting Esther favour before King Ahasuerus. The king loved her more than all the other women and made Esther his queen (Esther 2:17).
Do not go to Sleep
A SHORT WHILE after the coronation of Esther, Haman plotted the death of not only Mordecai but all the Jews in the Persian Empire (Esther 3:7-14).
He wanted the death of Mordecai because he didn't bow to him (Esther 3:5).
So, he convinced the king to write a decree that would take the lives of all the Jews in the kingdom.
God is not finished with You.
WHEN THINGS go wrong, people do not think that God will use such situations to his glory.
But we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose (Rom. 8:28 AMP).
A life without self-discovery is a wasted life.
Do Something
MORDECAI heard the news and sent a message to Esther.
Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews.
For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance].
And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]?
Royalty isn't just a declaration. It's also a manifestation.
God knows how the Story Ends
ESTHER discovered she was made for this purpose.
So, she asked the Jews in Susa to fast and pray for her while she did the same thing with her maids.
When you can't, you run to the One who can.
Esther found favour with the king. The Jews were saved.
Bringing it Together
THERE'S ALWAYS a lesson to learn from every season of life.
A life without self-discovery is a wasted life.
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